SHORT NOTES ON BRITISH BIRDS. 287 



Strike, the man fired at it and injured the tendon, as you perceive. 

 Being thus disabled it was carried by the wind (which was blowing 

 tolerably hard at the time) out of a direct line from its prey ; and 

 the Heron seeing his opportunity, availed himself of it and took 

 to wing." 



Though quite winged, this bird lived some years in con- 

 finement. 



Rock Dove. 



Mr. Bailey tells me that, in the winter of 1 870-1, hundreds 

 of Rock Doves were picked up on the rocks at Flamborough 

 Head dead through stress of weather, and I certainly saw 

 very few when I was there the summer following. Another 

 observer adds that some people make a practice of netting 

 them, as they can get a great price from pigeon-shooters for 

 them, but that those who want them for the " pot " generally 

 shoot them by lying up at the fresh-water springs which go 

 over the rocks. They come inland most when the corn is 

 cut and the seed is sown. Tons and tons of their dung have 

 in former years been taken out of a large cavern, called 

 Bempton Pigeon-cote. 



Oystercatcher. 



I never but once saw a "pied Oystercatcher" — as some 

 people term them — which really was pied. It was shot at 

 Tees-mouth, and was for some time in my possession. 



Mr. F. Bond has or had an Oystercatcher with the white 

 neck ring going quite round. This is unusual, but I have 

 seen one in Leadenhall in which the same mark, though not 

 so far continued, was an inch in depth. 



Shrike and Golden Oriole. 

 I possess a dilapidated and tail-less specimen of a hen 



